DCX boosts Q2 operating profit; Chrysler slips

STUTTGART, Germany (Reuters) -- DaimlerChrysler's second-quarter operating profit rose 11 percent to 1.857 billion euros ($2.37 billion), beating market expectations, as a rebound at flagship Mercedes Car Group offset slumping profit at U.S. arm Chrysler.The world's fifth-biggest carmaker reiterated on Thursday that group operating profit would exceed 6 billion euros in 2006, up from just under 5.2 billion in 2005.Chrysler, swept up in a U.S. price war and battling excess inventory, contributed 51 million euros ($65 million) in the second quarter compared with 544 million euros ($695 million) in the same quarter last year.The automaker said it still expected full-year deliveries at Chrysler to hold roughly at last year's level thanks to a second-half new model offensive.